The Best Free PaintTool SAI AlternativesTop Digital Painting Tools & Image Editors like PaintTool SAI

Alternatives list

1. 

   

   Krita

    1447 likes

   Free, open-source painting software designed by artists for artists. Offers customizable UI, 9 brush engines, color management, tablet support, non-destructive editing, and privacy features. Portable and available on major platforms, supporting seamless texture creation.

   145 Krita alternatives

   Cost / License

   • Free
   • Open Source

   Application type

   • Digital Painting

   Origin

   • Netherlands
   • EU

   Platforms

   • Mac
   • Windows
   • Linux
   • Android Tablet
   • KDE Plasma
   • Epic Games Store
   • PortableApps.com
   • F-Droid
   • Steam
   • AppImage

   

   

   

   +6

   

   More about Krita  

   

   Is Krita a good alternative to PaintTool SAI?

    

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   13comments

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   Krita vs PaintTool SAI Comments

    

   Top Positive Comment

   Guest

   May 4, 2017

   6

   Very advanced program that is absolutely free, only downside is that it's not as lightweight as SAI

   Review by a new / low-activity user.

   Top Negative Comment

   Guest

   Dec 31, 2025

   0

   Both Krita's brush system and UI are very different from SAI, notably the color blending system which make it impossible to recreate the watercolor effect in SAI, it is more similar to Autodesk Sketchbook.

   Review by a new / low-activity user.

   Guest

   Positive comment•Jan 13, 2021

   0

   It has many capabilities, and I've seen people's work using this. It's amazing to work in and is good in animation features.

   Review by a new / low-activity user.

   Show more comments

   3 of 13 comments

   

   

   • Krita is Free and Open SourcePaintTool SAI is Paid and Proprietary
   • Krita is Lightweight and Privacy focusedPaintTool SAI is not according to our users
2. 

   

   MediBang Paint

    119 likes

   MediBang Paint is a lightweight software for illustration and making comic books on Windows and Mac OS.

   77 MediBang Paint alternatives

   Cost / License

   • Freemium
   • Proprietary

   Application types

   • Digital Painting
   • Image Editor

   Origin

   • Japan

   Platforms

   • Mac
   • Windows
   • Android
   • iPhone
   • Android Tablet
   • iPad
   • Steam

   

   

   

   +4

   

   More about MediBang Paint  

   

   Is MediBang Paint a good alternative to PaintTool SAI?

    

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   14comments

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   MediBang Paint vs PaintTool SAI Comments

    

   Top Positive Comment

   Guest

   Jan 23, 2019

   5

   Its very convenient and it works on every device

   Review by a new / low-activity user.

   Top Negative Comment

   Guest

   May 9, 2019

   -1

   the app is filled with a bunch of tools and not enough explaniton

   Review by a new / low-activity user.

   Guest

   Positive comment•Jul 1, 2020

   0

   I love the dark UI and how organized it is

   Review by a new / low-activity user.

   Show more comments

   3 of 14 comments

   

   

   • MediBang Paint is Freemium and ProprietaryPaintTool SAI is Paid and Proprietary
   • MediBang Paint is LightweightPaintTool SAI is not according to our users
4. 

   

   FireAlpaca

    90 likes

   FireAlpaca is the image editor that can be used readily and easily. We made it possible to provide the completely free download, in order for our products to be experienced by more users from all over the world. It is available for both Mac and Windows users!

   124 FireAlpaca alternatives

   Cost / License

   • Free
   • Proprietary

   Application types

   • Digital Painting
   • Image Editor

   Platforms

   • Mac
   • Windows
   • Linux

   

   

   More about FireAlpaca  

   

   Is FireAlpaca a good alternative to PaintTool SAI?

    

   |

   9comments

   Expand

   FireAlpaca vs PaintTool SAI Comments

    

   Top Positive Comment

   Guest

   Dec 15, 2017

   5

   Firealpaca is much easier to use! It's simpler to find your way around and it's completely free for mac and windows! It's also great because it has regular updates so you know it's always gonna get better. You can animate on it and use masks, references and palettes.

   Review by a new / low-activity user.

   Guest

   Positive comment•Dec 31, 2025

   0

   Overall very similar brush/color sampling system, especially with color blending.

   Review by a new / low-activity user.

   Guest

   Positive comment•Jan 14, 2021

   0

   FireAlpaca is good. Can be easier to draw with pentablet

   Review by a new / low-activity user.

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   3 of 9 comments

   

   

   • FireAlpaca is Free and ProprietaryPaintTool SAI is Paid and Proprietary
5. Ad

   

   

   Adobe Fresco

   Unlock creativity with a massive brush collection and real-time effects. Blend oils, paint with vibrant watercolors, and enjoy vector and raster brushes on stylus-ready devices. Ideal for artists of all levels.

   https://www.adobe.com

   Learn More
6. 

   

   ibis Paint X

    41 likes

   ibis Paint is an easy yet powerful drawing app made with tools for sketching manga right at your fingertips.

   57 ibis Paint X alternatives

   Cost / License

   • Freemium
   • Proprietary

   Application types

   • Digital Painting
   • Image Editor

   Origin

   • Japan

   Platforms

   • Windows
   • Android
   • iPhone
   • Android Tablet
   • HUAWEI AppGallery
   • iPad

   

   

   

   +3

   

   More about ibis Paint X  

   

   Is ibis Paint X a good alternative to PaintTool SAI?

    

   |

   11comments

   Expand

   ibis Paint X vs PaintTool SAI Comments

    

   Top Positive Comment

   Guest

   Jun 12, 2017

   4

   The app is very functional :) So many brushes and options. Maybe at the beginning everything's a bit complicated, but if get used to it it's very easy and effective. Also there's a chance of learning so many methods and styles of drawing by the new features and even from other artists. I definitley recommend this aplication :3

   Review by a new / low-activity user.

   Guest

   Positive comment•Dec 6, 2020

   0

   It's like medibang, but you don't have good stabilization and stuff like that. it's a simular.

   Review by a new / low-activity user.

   Guest

   Positive comment•May 11, 2020

   1

   Has a lot of features and the ones that are locked can be all unlocked at once if you watch one add, really good alternative but sadly it's only for phone users

   Review by a new / low-activity user.

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   3 of 11 comments

   

   

   • ibis Paint X is Freemium and ProprietaryPaintTool SAI is Paid and Proprietary
7. 

   

   MyPaint

    393 likes

   MyPaint is a fast, distraction-free, and easy painting tool for digital artists. It supports graphics tablets made by Wacom, and many similar devices.

   131 MyPaint alternatives

   Cost / License

   • Free
   • Open Source (GPL-2.0)

   Application type

   • Digital Painting

   Origin

   • Switzerland

   Platforms

   • Mac
   • Windows
   • Linux
   • PortableApps.com

   

   

   

   +2

   

   More about MyPaint  

   

   Is MyPaint a good alternative to PaintTool SAI?

    

   |

   1comment

   Expand

   MyPaint vs PaintTool SAI Comments

    

   Guest

   Negative comment•Jul 26, 2015

   3

   There aren't as many functions as PaintTool SAI

   Review by a new / low-activity user.

   

   

   • MyPaint is Free and Open SourcePaintTool SAI is Paid and Proprietary
   • MyPaint is LightweightPaintTool SAI is not according to our users
8. 

   

   Affinity

    72 likes

   Unified design solution merging advanced photo, vector, and layout tools for seamless workflow, non-destructive editing, RAW support, batch processing, AI enhancements, GPU acceleration, file compatibility, cloud asset integration, and tailored workspace options.

   76 Affinity alternatives

   Cost / License

   • Freemium
   • Proprietary

   Application types

   • Image Editor
   • Vector Graphic

   Origin

   • Australia

   Platforms

   • Mac
   • Windows

   

   

   

   +9

   

   More about Affinity  

   

   Is Affinity a good alternative to PaintTool SAI?

    
10. 

    

    Photopea

     351 likes

    Browser-based image editing supports PSD, XCF, Sketch formats, advanced layers, vector tools, RAW photo support, and exports in 40+ formats. Fully client-side with AI background removal, content-aware tools, and privacy as files never leave your device.

    113 Photopea alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    • Image Editor
    • Digital Painting

    Origin

    • Czechia
    • EU

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)

    

    

    

    +2

    

    More about Photopea  

    

    Is Photopea a good alternative to PaintTool SAI?

     
11. 

    

    AzPainter

     22 likes

    AzPainter is a full color painting program for Linux. It's a lightweight tool with tablet pressure support, and provides basic functions such as selection, layers, filters. you can use it for painting, image editing, or pixel art making.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (GPL-3.0)

    Application types

    • Digital Painting
    • Image Editor

    Origin

    • Japan

    Platforms

    • Linux

    

    

    More about AzPainter  

    

    Is AzPainter a good alternative to PaintTool SAI?

     

    |

    4comments

    Expand

    AzPainter vs PaintTool SAI Comments

     

    ADRIANO DUARTE

    Positive comment•Mar 7, 2019

    2

    Lightweight, very simple and powerful.

    Guest

    Positive comment•Jun 3, 2017

    3

    Smooth brushes, almost like PaintTool SAI. Includes "cell animation". ultra light, loads in 1 or 2 seconds in my computer.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.

    Guest

    Positive comment•Aug 30, 2017

    2

    Has almost funtions as Sai does

    Review by a new / low-activity user.

    Show more comments

    3 of 4 comments

    

    

    • AzPainter is Free and Open SourcePaintTool SAI is Paid and Proprietary
    • AzPainter is LightweightPaintTool SAI is not according to our users
12. 

    

    SketchPort

     22 likes

    SketchPort is an online drawing community with free software for PC, Mac, iOS, and Android. Draw, chat, vote, be inspired, be challenged and earn badges!

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    • Digital Painting

    Origin

    • United States

    Platforms

    • Online

    

    

    

    +2

    

    More about SketchPort  

    

    Is SketchPort a good alternative to PaintTool SAI?

     
13. 

    

    Vectr

     92 likes

    Free vector graphics editor offering real-time collaborative editing, browser and cross-platform desktop support, scalable design tools, AI, EPS, SVG, PNG, JPEG import/export, grouping and shape manipulation, and intuitive pen and freehand drawing options.

    106 Vectr alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    • Vector Graphic
    • Graphic Design

    Origin

    • Singapore

    Platforms

    • Online

    

    

    

    +3

    

    More about Vectr  

    

    Is Vectr a good alternative to PaintTool SAI?

     
14. 

    

    Our Paint

     9 likes

    Our Paint is a featureless but programmable painting program.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (GPL-3.0)

    Application type

    • Digital Painting

    Origin

    • China

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • itch.io

    

    

    

    +3

    

    More about Our Paint  

    

    Is Our Paint a good alternative to PaintTool SAI?

     
15. 

    

    Kleki

     11 likes

    Kleki is a multi-platform web app for painting and editing. It features: 4 different brushes; pressure sensitivity for Wacom tablets; up to 8 layers; numerous filters with real-time preview; import to PSD, PNG, JPEG; export to JPEG and PNG; upload to imgur.com; local storage.

    65 Kleki alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Application types

    • Digital Painting
    • Color Picker

    Origin

    • Germany
    • EU

    Platforms

    • Online

    

    More about Kleki  

    

    Is Kleki a good alternative to PaintTool SAI?